Students:

Looking for a research or creative scholarship mentor?

The researchers on this page are actively looking for undergraduates to join their academic efforts. This is not an exhaustive list of opportunities. If you don't see anything that fits your goals, contact us to find out what other opportunities await!

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OUR Front Desk Assistant

Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is hiring for the Fall! We work to connect students with research opportunities by facilitating a variety of events and programs across campus. Currently, we are looking for student employees to assist with event coordination, social media, communications, and data entry.

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Undergraduate Hiring

Mangalam Lab

The goal of Mangalam Lab is to develop better treatment options to cure multiple sclerosis (MS). We are looking for an undergraduate student to assist with general lab duties including cleaning, washing dishes, safety cabinet cleaning, etc. Other duties will be discussed based on availability.

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New Cancer Immunotherapeutics

Carter and Sheffield Research Group

Developing new modalities to activate the immune system to destroy tumors.  We are a fully translational research lab that focuses on identifying new mechanisms of biology that can be targeted to treat disease and we extend our findings to humans. 

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Electrical brain networks of stress, depression, and migraine

Laboratory for Brain-Network Based Molecular Medicine

We're looking for a student with careful attention to detail, patience, and outstanding fine motor skills who is interested in working in a neuroscience research lab environment. The student would learn how to build electrodes under a microscope and to prepare slides with brain slices.

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Understanding Genome Size and Ploidy Level Variation Through Elemental Analysis

Neiman Lab

Using ecological stoichiometry to study the evolution of genome architecture in a freshwater New Zealand snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, that features unique natural genomic variation.

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Cognitive control and action selection

Action, Cognition, & Learning Lab, Psychological and Brain Sciences

The research assistants will be invited to participate in all aspects of psychological research relating to the organization of voluntary action. We are primarily interested in how individuals select their responses as they perform one or more tasks. 

ACADEMIC CREDIT

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Neurobiology of alcohol dependence and neurodegeneration

Alcohol and Neurodegeneration Lab, Neuroscience and Pharmacology

Our group is focused on understanding the molecular and circuit adaptations following alcohol abuse and chronic stress that predispose to psychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative disease and infectious disease. 

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Gut Microbiome Interbacterial Interactions

Bosch Lab, Department of Pathology

We study how bacteria interact in the gut microbiome in healthy people, and in the context of gastrointestinal diseases. We apply a broad range of techniques including metagenomic sequencing, proteomics, bacteriology, genetics, and structural biology. 

VOLUNTEER // ACADEMIC CREDIT

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Mechanisms by ion channels and transporters mediate transport of ions across cellular membranes

Chowdhury Lab

We are interested in understanding how ions and small molecules are transported across the oily cellular membranes. We specialize in membrane protein biochemistry and biophysics, determining atomic resolution snapshots of protein complexes.

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Neurocognitive basis of parent-child interactions and child development

Development, Experience and Neurocognition Lab

Research assistants will have the opportunity to assist with various lab procedures (e.g., collecting data during child lab visits, data management, and video coding of parent–child interactions). 

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Molecular basis and gene therapy of cystic fibrosis

Engelhardt Research Lab, Anatomy and Cell Biology

We are looking for undergraduate students who are interested in research and learning techniques that will help with general lab duties including aliquoting, cell work, chemical making, cleanup, and lab upkeep. No experience is needed; we are willing to train you!

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Neural and cognitive mechanisms of executive function

Hwang Lab, Neurocognitive Dynamics

The Hwang lab conducts research to understand the neural mechanisms of executive functions. Research assistants will gain valuable experience with cognitive neuroscience research, assisting with subject recruitment, behavioral/EEG/TMS/fMRI data collection, quality control of neuroimaging data, and execution of data analyses.

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Gastroenterology research about muscle layer and mucosa

Kurahashi Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

We invite passionate undergraduates to delve into groundbreaking gastroenterology research in advancing our understanding of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, specifically focusing on its muscle layer and mucosa.

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Genetic regulation of endoderm development

Lin Lab, Anatomy and Cell Biology

The goal of our laboratory's research is to understand the genetic regulation of endoderm development, which is a germ layer critical for craniofacial structures and the digestive system. We use zebrafish as the animal model.  

VOLUNTEER // ACADEMIC CREDIT

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Sleep disturbance in psychiatric disorders

Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology Lab

We focus on defining the physiological features of sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders, investigating their relations with symptoms and cognitive deficits, and examining the neural circuitry involved in these sleep deficits using neuroimaging and electrophysiology techniques.

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Effect of facemasks on jaw muscle tension

Robotics & Assistive Devices (RAD) Lab

Nerves send signals to our muscles telling them to contract. Our lab is using EMG to study if wearing facemasks effects jaw muscle tension. Join to learn about human research, sensors, and data analysis techniques in biomechanics research! 

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Physiology of ion transporting epithelia

Thornell Lab, Internal Medicine

Our projects are captured by the question “How do the different kinds of cells work together in an epithelium to orchestrate ion transport?”. Duties include making solutions, help in preparing experiments, and mouse genotyping. 

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Experimental fluid dynamics, naval hydrodynamics, flow diagnosis

Wang Lab

For undergraduate students who are interested in experimental fluid dynamics, there are several on-going research projects including sustainable drag reduction and developing an in-house laser illumination system.

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Cellular and Molecular mechanisms of Obesity/Diabetes

Yang Lab, Anatomy and Cell Biology

Our research aims to identify the molecular components of integration between organelle stress responses that are in play in obesity and diabetes at the cellular and organismic levels. 

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Deep Learning Tasks for the Segmentation of 3D Regions of Interest from Medical Images (CT)

Advanced Pulmonary Physiomic Imaging Lab (APPIL)

The Advanced Pulmonary Physiomic Imaging Lab is looking for undergraduate students to help with ongoing research at the interface of medical imaging and AI. Familiarity with Python and Deep Learning will be considered advantages. The segmentations from the deep learning pipeline are later used for downstream 3D visualization and shape analysis tasks. 

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Csomay Center Summer Scholars

Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence

The mission of the Barbara and Richard Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence is to advance innovations in research, education, and practice to promote optimal aging and quality of life in all older adults and their caregivers. Our Summer Scholars program matches undergraduate students from across disciplines with research opportunities related to aging and older adults.

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Learning-Based High-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Multiparametric Quantitative MRI Group

Students are expected to code/run deep learning algorithms to solve specific problems in biomedical imaging. Qualifications STEM background. 
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Working with 3D objects (vessels) extracted from medical images (CT)

Advanced Pulmonary Physiomic Imaging Lab (APPIL)

We are looking for an undergraduate student to help with ongoing research at the interface of medical imaging and AI. The main task involves using the 3DSlicer software to work with 3D CT images and extracted 3D structures.

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Understanding novel genes in cardiac and neurological systems and disease

Boudreau Lab, Internal Medicine

The Boudreau Lab is working to discover new genes that regulate healthy heart and brain functions. We are looking for energetic students who are interested in learning advanced techniques to help us with general lab duties.

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Social-Emotional Development from Infancy to Adolescence

Child Lab, Psychological Brain Sciences

We study children’s social-emotional development from infancy to adolescence. Students in this lab have the opportunity to work on a longitudinal study to help collect data during laboratory sessions, code behavioral data from videos, and perform preliminary data management. We prefer students with experience working with young children.

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Central nervous system control of metabolic homeostasis and sleep-wake behavior

Cui Lab, Neuroscience and Pharmacology

Research projects in our lab aim to uncover the complex brain networks and signaling mechanisms that control metabolic homeostasis and sleep-wake behavior using mouse as a model organism. 

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Development of behavior problems and positive adjustment in children

Developmental Psychopathology Lab

We conduct research to understand how children develop behavior problems as well as positive adjustment. To study the development of behavior problems we examine brain development, sleep, stress, parenting, temperament, and language skills.

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Neural Mechanisms Underlying Motivated Behaviors

The Flippo Lab

We are looking for undergraduates interested in neuroscience research investigating how the brain influences reward seeking and fear behaviors. Duties will include performing experiments in rodents and day-to-day tasks in the lab. 

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Human Brain Research and Technologies

Iowa NeuroBank Core, Iowa Neuroscience Institute

This position offers hands-on experience and research skills by working with a human brain bank and associated technologies, as well as outreach events. We are seeking a current senior with a major in neuroscience, biology, or human physiology. 

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Analysis of environmental contaminants in biological samples

Lehmler Lab, Occupational and Environmental Health

We are looking for student research assistants who would like to investigate the role of persistent organic pollutants in adverse health effects. The research project involves the analysis of environmental contaminants in biological samples.

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Impact of insulin signaling and FoxOs on muscle mitochondria and strength

Molecular Biology Lab

We are looking for an undergraduate researcher in a Molecular Biology lab who is willing to learn basic lab protocols (PCR, western blot, enzymatic assays) and be willing to handle mouse models. This position has the potential to grow into an independent project.

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Brain Mechanisms of Learning and Memory

Neuroscience of Learning and Memory Lab

We conduct research on the brain mechanisms underlying learning and memory in humans, rats, and mice. Our experiments involve cutting-edge neuroscience techniques to study how information is learned and stored in the brain.

VOLUNTEER // ACADEMIC CREDIT

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Human rights in Culture, Religion, Politics, and Law

Souaiaia Lab, Religious Studies

The research project (Media Narratives on Armed Conflicts) is interdisciplinary requiring the use of many tools and skills, including large data analysis, digital content creation, preliminary research answering specific research questions, and integration of digital content in classroom teaching. 

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Dietary and lifestyle approaches to improving quality of life in Multiple Sclerosis

Wahls Lab, Internal Medicine

The Wahls Research lab is interested in the relationship between diet quality and clinical outcomes. The study Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis is a five year study, completing in 2027.  

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Cognitive Neuroscience

Wessel Cognitive Neuroscience Lab

At the Wessel Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, undergraduate research assistants will run Cognitive Neuroscience tasks with EEG and TMS neuroimaging techniques. No lab experience required. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required.

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Obesity, Diabetes, and CVD

Yang Lab, Anatomy and Cell Biology

Our research aims to identify the molecular components of integration between organelle stress responses that are in play in obesity and diabetes at the cellular and organismic levels. 

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STEM Research in Cancer, Biology, and Physics Related Fields

A 10-week summer research experience under the mentorship of a faculty member to learn about the latest breakthroughs in cancer therapy, including FLASH Radiotherapy. Preference is given to juniors and seniors interested in the biomedical science field, and who are underrepresented in medicine. 

Uterine endometrial cancer: Molecular mechanisms, targeted therapy

Yang Lab, Pathology

Uterine endometrial cancer incidence (~65,950 new cases/year) and deaths (~12,550 deaths/year) are on the rise. To help endometrial cancer patients and cure endometrial cancer, we need understand the characteristics of this disease.  

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